Device for treating cigars, cigarettes, and the like



Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,655

A. w. c. MENZIES DEVICE FOR TREATING CIGARS GIGARETTES, AND THE LIKE Filed Feb .13, 1926 Cit:

'Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

ALAN W. C. MENZIES, OF PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY.

DEVICE FOR TREATING CIGARS, CIGARETTES, AND THE LIKE.

My invention relates to a device for treating cigars, cigarettes, and the hke. More articularly the invention relates to a device or introducing moisture into the body of smokable rolls of material such for example as cigars, cigarettes, and the like.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a device for treating smokable articles whereby a substantial amount of the treating substance such as water may be readily applied to the interior of the body without unduly wetting the endsto apply moisture quickly just before smoking; and to provide a suitable device which is adapted to efficiently carry out the results looked for and which will be inexpensive to construct and durable and easy to operate.

Furtherobjects and advantages of the in vention will fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example preferred embodiments of the rfievice used in carrying out the results looked or. y

The invention consists in the novel features, arrangements, construction and combination of the parts of the device, hereinafter described in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof, andthe ina vention will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. According to 1 my invention I inject the treating substance, such as water, into the inner portion of the cigarette or the like; preferabl applying it at a region somewhat remoterom the ends so that the interior of the cigarette, for a substantial length thereof, may be substantially moistened without unduly wetting the ends.

I have found out that by inserting a liquid, such as water, into the body of cigars, cigarettes, and the like, that certain beneficial results are obtained. For example, by injecting water into the body of a cigarette or the like, preferably adjacent to but removed from the end to be inserted into the mouth of the smoker, I have found that the resulting product furnishes a cool and.

pleasant smoke. From experiments I have discovered that cigarettes so treated may be smoked in larger quantities with less injurious results than when not so treated. This is probably due to the fact thatthe moisture Application filed February 3, 1926. Serial No. 85,617.

so applied tends to absorb volatile irritants, to cool the smoke and to humidify the gases 65 passing through the moistened region. A. cigarette so treated has been found to fur-' nish, in fact, a much milder smoke and to burn the tongue less than the same grade of cigarette not so treated. I have also found that although the body of the cigarette is quite thoroughly moistened it seems to readily burn as it is smoked.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments-of a device adapted to be used in carrying out the method Fig. 1 is a plan view, with parts broken away, showing one form of the device,

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another form of the device with a detachable end and a hollow plunger provided with a closure means, and

. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the detachable end of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the body of the device comprises a reservoir portion 1 which is cylindrical inform and a receptacle or tubular end portion 2 which is adapted to receive and to guide the end of a cigarette (indicated in outline as 10), and in the present embodiment is formed integral with the reservoir 1. The interior of the reservoir 1 is provided with screw threads 3 which are adapted to 7 be engaged by corresponding threadsformed 35 on the piston or plunger 4; This plunger 4 inthe present embodiment is provided with a plunger head 5 which is attached to the plunger by means of the screw 6; and

the outer end of the plunger 4 is provided with a knurled hand engaging portion 7. A plug 8 is inserted in the body and serves to separate the reservoir 1 from the receptacle end 2 and is attached in place by any suitable means such as by soldering. A hol- .95 low perforating member'such as a needle 9 extends through the plug'8 to which it is attached and projects to a point adjacent the end of the tubular portion 2, which latter serves-notonly for guiding the end of the 1 cigarette to be moistened, but protects the needle 9 when the device is carried about on the person. It will therefore be seen that i a hollow needle 9 forms an out-let means from the reservoir 1, and that when the plunger 4 is rotated in a clockwise direction, it is moved downwardly in the cylindrical reservoir 1 and serves to force the substance contained in the reservoir out through the hollow needle-9.-- ...i V g Referring to Fig. 2, in which the prime numerals have been applied to parts corresponding to the parts of Fig. 1 bearing the corresponding base numerals, the follow ng modifications will be noted. The cylindrical reservoir 1' is threaded beyond the point where the plug 8' is inserted, and the plug 8' is threaded thereby permitting it to be screwed into position. The receptacle end 2' is providedwith a reduced exterior diameter which is externally threaded, thereby permittin it to be screwed into the end of plunger.

the cylin er 1, and this also serves to hold the plug 8' and the needle 9' carried thereby in place. In this modification the plunger 4 is iormed of a hollow tube exteriorly threaded to engage the interior threads of the cylinder 1. The inner end of the plunger is provided with a plunger end 5 which is held in place by the pin 6'. The knurled hand engaging end 7 is screw threaded on its inner end and adapted to engage interior I Operation.

In treating the article to be smoked, one

- end of a cigarette or the like is inserted in the receptacle end 2 which guides the ends so that the needle 9 perforates the end of the cigarette in substantial alignment with the longitudinal aXis thereof and extends a suitable distance into the body of the same. The knurled handle 7 is then turned in order to iforce the plunger 4 into the reservoir 1, which thereby forces the treating substance from the reservoir 1 through the needle 9 into the body of the cigarette 10. For example, in using water as a treating substance, a substantial. amount of water is forced into the body of the cigarette to substantially moisten a portion thereof. In

ractice I have found that the cigarette may be moistened from a point adjacent the end to be lighted practica ly down to the end to vbe inserted in the smokers mouth, without in any way aflecting the burning of the cigarette. In practice I have found for example that 0.2 cm. of water may be inserted in a cigarette, without appreciably affecting its burning qualities, and serves to eflicientlg treat the cigarette for the purposes set fort above. Cigarettes or the like are preferably treated just prior to the time at which they are to be smoked. After treating the cigarette in the manner above described, it is-removed from the receptacle 2 and the needle 9, and is ready to be used.

It is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited merely to the treatment of tobacco products, since it is likewise adapted to the treatment of cigars or cigarettes adapted to be used for medicinal pur poses, and formed entirely or partly of substances other than tobacco. In such cases, it is my intention to treat such articles with any desired substance.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding my invention, that other changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I aim in the appended claims to cover such changes and modifications as are within the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a reservoir for containing a treatin substance, a plunger adapted to force saic l substance from said reservoir, a receptacle portion adapted to receive and guide the end of a smokable roll of material, and a hollow perforating member of a length suflicient to be inserted a substantial distance into said roll of material in communication with said reservoir and through which said substance is adapted to be injected into said roll of material.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a reservoir for containing a treating substance and having a threaded portion, a plunger adapted to force said substance from said reservoir and having a threaded portion for engagement with the threaded portion of said reservoir, whereby said plunger may be moved in said reservoir, a receptacle portion adapted to receive and guide the end of a smokable roll of material, and a hollow perforating member of a length suflicient to be inserted a substantial distance into said roll of material in communication with said reservoir and through which said substance is adapted to be injected into said roll of material when said roll is placed in said receptacle portion.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a reservoir for containing a treating substance, a plunger adapted to force said substance from said reservoir, a detachable receptacle portion adapted to receive and guide the end of a smokable roll of material, and a hollow perforating member of a length sufficient to be inserted a substantial distance into said roll of material in communication with said reservoir and through which said substance is adapted to be in ected into said roll of material.

4. An article of manufacture comprisin a receptacle portion ada ted to receive an guide the end of a smoka 1e roll ofmaterial,

a hollow perforating member of a sufficient length to be inserted a substantial distance into said roll of material when said roll placed within said receptacle portion, and 10 means for holding a treatin substance and for forcing said treatin su stance through said needle into said ml of material.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

. ALAN W. C. MENZIES. 

